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The Sikh historian passes away unsung
On transfer to Punjab, in the year 1990 while I was in the Govt service I
started to try to understand why the Punjab was on flames. Obviously I
needed many documents to understand the background of this whole issue. I
needed detailed diary of Punjabi Suba Movement, some documents on
Sikh-English relations, I needed to know Sikh leaders role in Constituent
Assembly, Pre-Partition Congress assurances to Sikhs etc. I would often rush
to libraries and famous book shops.
I was then stationed at Batala. One day I reached Khalsa College Amritsar
library and explained my desperation for certain documents to the librarian
S. Sukhdev Singh. I was enumerating the topics I needed documents on and
Sukhdev was sarcastically smiling. Before I could express my anguish at the
librarians cold response he asked me to wait and have a cup of tea. He asked
the helper to bring ''History of Sikh Struggles' by Dr. Gurmit Singh. The
book was before me. My search had ended. I asked Sukhdev that I needed no
more books because I found hundreds of documents and references in Gurmit's
book. I was thanking librarian for the right kind of book I was desperate
for while Sukhdev insisted that the real thanks be conveyed to Gurmit Singh.
Gurmit Singh did a wonderful job of publishing important documents related
to Sikh politics. I wished to kiss the pious hands of Gurmit Singh who did
this stupendous job.
I became fan of Gurmit Singh and tried to find out all the publications
Gurmit Singh had authored. It is from Gurmit Singh 's book I could discover
the real Gandhi (whom Hindus called Mahatma) and his attitude towards Sikhs.
While on an official tour to Chandigarh I also met Gurmit also. I realised
what a great job was he doing in collecting and editing those documents.
Again in need, ten days ago I again managed to get the contact number of
Gurmit Singh and on my ring the voice on the other end (His daughter who is
a lawyer in Punjab & Haryana High Court) softly explained the Sardar has
expired 4 months back. Obviously I was shocked and felt sorry how I missed
the news from papers and TV. The girl on the other end explained me that I
need not be guilty conscious because the news has not been reported in the
media at all.
By profession Gurmit Singh was a senior advocate in High Court. It rather
surprised me because I had the impression that the advocates are a well knit
community. I also had the impression that the Chandigarh Sikh intellectuals
were well organised at Kandala Sahib Gurdwara where they would meet quite
often. Have they also failed to recognize the invaluable services that
Gurmit Singh rendered to the Sikh community. I really feel sorry for that.
But then I realised it is not unusual because Shah Mohd had 150 ago
remarked,
"Ajj hove sarkar tan mull pave
jihrhian khalsey tegan marian ney"
I know Gurmit Singh's work will never get due honour in the present
framework for the kind of work and service he rendered to Sikh nation. But
coming generations of Sikhs will ever remain indebted to Gurmit Singh. May
Guru Gobind Singh allow his soul to rest at His pious feet and bless courage
and determination to the bereaved family to face the situation after his
untimely death.
B.S.Goraya
Amrtisar
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The following bio data of Dr. Gurmit Singh was sent by his daughter Kamaljit
on my request. It enumerates the works of Dr. Gurmit Singh.
+++++++++++++++
DR. GURMIT SINGH (1940-2009)
Dr. Gurmit Singh was a versatile genius. He was born on 9th July,
1940 at Bhera, District Sargodha in Pakistan. He was married to Mrs. Amrita
Lali and has two daughters namely Simranjit & Kamalpreet.
A) His academic
qualifications include:
1. Ph. D. (Sikh Studies) : Panjab University,
Chandigarh (1985).
2. M.A. (Political Science) : Himachal Pradesh
University, Shimla (1977)
3. L.L.B. : University
of Delhi (1962)
4. Diploma in Business Admn. : School of Careers,
Aldermaston Court,
Berkshire, England (1970)
5. Certificate in Journalism : Institute of
Journalism, New Delhi (1979)
6. Certificate in Private investigation : Indian
Institute of Private Investigation,
New
Delhi
7. Research Scholar : Parliamentary
Group, London (1993)
B) Experience:
1) He was practicing lawyer who practiced law at District Courts at Sirsa (Haryana)
from 1962 to 1987 and thereafter he practiced law at Punjab & Haryana High
Court, Chandigarh from 1987 to 2009.
2) He was a press correspondent for National Herald (Daily), Spokesman
(weekly) etc.
3) He was a guest lecturer in Cultural communication at Tide Water Community
College, Portsmouth (U.S.A.)
C) Field of Study and
research
Asian / Indo-Pak studies, with special reference to Punjab (India) and the
skills in the disciplines of Humanities and social science (viz. History,
Religion, Politics, Philosophy and Constitutional Law.
D) Work Done:
1)
BOOKS: He authored several books on Sikh Religion,
History and Politics and was regarded as a great scholar.
ENGLISH:
a)
History of Sikh Struggles( 4 Volumes) :
This is a monumental work narrating in detail the struggle of Sikhs to
establish their identity and realize their legitimate aspirations as a
political entity- from 1946 to 1988. The volume contains almost all
important documents in their authentic versions, relating to these
struggles. Subjective assessment scrupulously avoided. A reference book for
present and the future researches and historians.
b)
Guru Nanak’s Relationship with lodis and Mughals:
This is the thesis approved by the Panjat university, Chandigarh. Deals with
the history of Guru Nanak’s relationship wit the last two Lodi rules of
Delhi and later with first Mughal Emperor Babar.The book also gives a brief
account of the interaction of the later nine Sikh Gurus with the successors
of Babar till the death of the tenth Guru. A wholly objective study of a
particular aspect of history .
c)
Failure of Akali Leadership:
An analysis of Indian Politics with special reference to Sikhs.
d)
Sant Khalsa:
A history of “ Kukas”, a sect of Sikhs.
e)
The versatile Guru Nanak:
A biography of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with a comparative
study of his
Teachings with the teachings of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Budhism and Jainism.
f)
Gandhi and the sikhs :
As narration of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to Sikh demands.
g)
Islam and Sikhism:
A comparative study of some points of similarity between the two
religions.
h)
A critique of Sikhism:
As comparative study of Sikhism and Hinduism to show that Sikhism is a
sovereign
religion and not an off-shoot of the Hindu religion.
Hindi:
i)
Agni Pariksha (Short Stories) :
Eighteen stories some serious and some humorous and satirical. The
stories present a
penetrating study of the psychology of characters who represent
certain classes of the
present day Indian Society.
Punjabi:
j)
Gandhi Ji Ate Sikhs (Translation) :
As translation in Punjabi of the book “ Gandhi and the Sikhs” .
k)
Inter Class ( Short Stories) :
Highly interesting stories giving a sharp study of the common people of
Indian Society.
2)
He submitted to the Constitution review Commission, New Delhi in July
2000 a Memorandum on behalf of S. Kapur Singh memorial trust, which ran into
75pages and suggested a amendment of about 30 Articles of the Constitution
of India.
3)
He contributed a good number of research papers and articles on
Sikhism to various Indian and foreign Journals of repute.
4)
He contributed entries to the Encyclopedia of Sikhism published by
Panjabi university, Patiala. He reviewed more than 50 books on various
subjects and lectured on Sikhism in India, Pakistan, United States of
America and Canada.
5)
He wrote a book for Sikh Information Centre, California (USA) in
2005-2006 on Sikhs.
That unfortunately
on the fateful day i.e. 28th January,2009 while he was on his way
to the court to conduct a legal court case he met with a road accident and
was admitted to the hospital with a brain injury. He underwent treatment for
two months at P.G.I. , Chandigarh and finally on 6th April,2009
he left us all for his heavenly abode.His contribution to Sikh History is a
monumental work which will assist future researchers and historians. To sum
up his contributions and achievements of his life, I am reminded of the
quote of Oscar Wilde:- “Anybody can make history; only a great man can write
it.”
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